Mee Lee

Unknown

Well

private collection

This "Geometric Hollow Pattern Jar of the Songze Culture" was produced during the late Neolithic period (approximately 3900 to 3200 BC) and originates from the Songze Culture site in the lower Yangtze River region of China, representing one of the most significant archaeological discoveries in the area of Shanghai and southern Jiangsu. The Songze Culture serves as an important transitional phase between the Majiabang Culture and the Liangzhu Culture, with its pottery craftsmanship and decorative art reflecting the advancements in social division of labor and aesthetic consciousness.

The jar is made of sand-tempered gray pottery, with a thick and well-crafted body. The most striking feature is the multiple groups of symmetrical triangular hollow decorations on the jar's belly, showcasing clear geometric cutting and carving techniques both inside and out. This hollow design, apart from its decorative function, could also serve purposes related to ventilation, breathing, or displaying objects. The shoulder is adorned with incised lines radiating in a pine needle pattern, which not only adds ornamental detail but also enhances structural strength, demonstrating the artisan's meticulous pursuit of beauty in patterns and forms.

Pottery from the Songze Culture was primarily used for everyday food serving and storage, but the hollow and geometric decorative design indicates it may also have ritual or special functions. This provided inspiration and technical foundations for the later development of Liangzhu Culture black pottery and jade artifacts. This geometric hollow pattern jar stands as a precious testament to the craftsmanship innovation and social aesthetic progress of the Songze Culture.

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